DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS) uses a multi-phase assessment process to qualify applicants seeking employment through the DHS-CS. Given the ever-advancing nature of cybersecurity and the ongoing need for cybersecurity talent, DHS-CS uses "Talent Pools" to pull qualified applicants (i.e., individuals who have successfully completed the multi-phase assessment process for their capability and career track/level) for consideration for these jobs.

This announcement is being used to fill the Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment Talent Pool. By applying to this job announcement, you are opting to be part of the DHS-CS Talent Pool for ongoing consideration for employment for relevant open jobs and will remain eligible for consideration for up to one year from the date of completion.

There are a variety of Vulnerability Assessment opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY) the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Depending on your career level and role, DHS Cybersecurity Service employees in the Technical Career Track, with a technical capability in Vulnerability Assessment, will generally apply their expertise to perform a range of tasks, including:

• Applying expert knowledge of the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) of cyber exploitation and attack to identify, quantify, prioritize, and report vulnerabilities across DHS, Federal, and/or national critical architectures, networks, applications, and systems.
• Conducting complex technical or nontechnical risk and threat assessments to assist DHS and federal leaders with decision-making related to cybersecurity planning (e.g., security measures, countermeasures, and vulnerability assessment methodologies).
• Collaborating with internal and/or external cybersecurity professionals and experts in cybersecurity risk assessment/management, automated information sharing, threat analysis, vulnerability management, and network defense/network protection to assess risk, identify vulnerabilities and implement controls as necessary.
• Regularly researching and learning new vulnerabilities, threats, TTPs in a variety of forums, working with others to assess risk and implement controls as necessary.
• Developing tests of systems and/or locally developed tools and techniques for gaining and maintaining access to target systems, while evaluating compliance with specifications and requirements in accordance with policy, benchmarks, and industry best practices.
• Working with systems engineering and development teams to recommend and deliver remediation strategies and plans for discovered vulnerabilities throughout the systems development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Conducting risk assessments and providing risk assessment reports/status to senior leaders that that document methodologies, findings, impacts, and recommending mitigation and remediating strategies/solutions.
• Preparing communications for different levels of leadership that summarize remediation efforts of identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
• Designing, replicating, analyzing, and validating strategies for simulated attacks on networks and systems to ensure DHS abilities to uncover and mitigate vulnerabilities.

This position is in the Technical Track across a range of career levels. Employees in this career track generally:

• Have between 5-15 years of cybersecurity work experience
• Range from experienced cybersecurity professionals who apply technical expertise and independent judgement to perform cybersecurity work - to - recognized Federal cybersecurity technical authorities with uncommon technical expertise who advise on cybersecurity challenges impacting DHS and the Nation

DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Vulnerability Assessment will generally:

• Conduct assessments of threats and vulnerabilities on networks/systems software and hardware and develop and recommend appropriate mitigation countermeasures.
• Develop and conduct tests of systems to evaluate compliance with specifications and requirements in accordance with policy benchmarks and industry best practices, by validating technical, functional, and performance characteristics of systems or their elements.
• Coordinate and align with program offices and various stakeholders.